This gene belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. The encoded protein is postulated to play a regulatory role in suppressing FasL- and LIGHT-mediated cell death. It acts as a decoy receptor that competes with death receptors for ligand binding. Over-expression of this gene has been noted in gastrointestinal tract tumors. Read-through transcription into this gene from the neighboring upstream gene which encodes regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1) generates a non-coding transcript. [provided by RefSeq Feb 2011]